On Assumption of office as the Inspector General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on January 15th, 2019, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu did not waste any time to bring up a planned programme of action aimed at countering the narratives of cultism and other vices with an initiative called Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV); a programme which is community driven and in line with the tenets of community oriented policing to involve all stakeholders with a view to raising their awareness/consciousness, galvanizing their support and with a view to reducing the menace and incidences of cultism, associated violence and other vices amongst the youth in the country.
The campaign visits schools and colleges, communities, markets and squares accross the country to sensitize members of the public on the dangers of cultism and other vices.
The campaign works with all stakeholders using town hall meeting in line with community oriented policing tenets. The campaign also uses skits, films, jingles and music to reach out to stakeholders on the dangers of cultism and other vices and its consequencies.
POCACOV became necessary following the observation of the Inspector General of police IGP Mohammed Abubakar Mohammed that many of our young ones are joining secret cults in droves. He further observed that Artisans like; mechanics, Bus Drivers/Conductors, Welders, okada and tricycle riders amongst others are joining the bandwagon without taking cognizance of its consequences on their future and the society at large.
Worrisome on this, is the involvement of female folks, market people/traders a situation many has seen as a society sitting on the keg of gun powder.
From the available records, some that joined cult groups dont even know why they are there (Ignorance) while some joined because of peer group influence, coercion/intimidation and to feel among.
The activities of these groups in our various communities have caused many deaths, maiming, sorrows, business and social activities disruption as well as ruining the future of our youth who would have contributed to the Nation building, growth and development.
It is also pertinent to note that things are not explained better in terms of the consequences of belonging to cult groups which usually leave cultist in a state of regret.
Just as a famous Philosopher Francis Bacon would say; “He that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator”. It was on this basis that Force under the leadership of IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu came up with this initiative of bringing freshness to the ways and manners Nigeria police Force have been combating Cultism. It is also a way of solving problem by thinking outside the box to get to the root cause of the problem using community oriented approaches.
History will be made on 12th March, 2020 as the Inspector General of police will formally launch the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices at the NAF Conference and event Centre Abuja.
The Launch will bring about the Nationwide implementation of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) by commands as POCACOV is also known for its diligent efforts of mobilization of Nigeria Youth aimed at facilitating intelligence led policing to enhance National security.
POCACOV is partnering with many youth based bodies, religious bodies, traditional Institutions, Non Governmental Bodies, Government Agencies as well as the media.
Since the Flag off of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) on 29th August, 2019 in Enugu where he (the IGP) started it in on 13th day of August, 2014 as the then commissioner of police; an instrument which gave Enugu the Award of the most peaceful and community policing state in the country under his watch, the campaign has lived up it’s expectation as it has been visiting all schools, church/mosques, communities, parks amongst others.
The campaign has also come up with many educative materials for the young ones such as SKITS, FILMS, Jingles, Posters, fliers, T-SHIRT and exercise books distributed to the young ones.
It is worthy of note that the Enugu state Government in partnership with POCACOV Sponsored twenty five thousand of POCACOV campaign and educative book against cultism and other vices which was distributed free to all schools and colleges in the state. POCACOV has involved itself with various community oriented youth seminars/workshop and has also what is called POCACOV Ambassadors; a broadspectrum of reputable and notable actors, actress, comedians and artiste to help drive the message of POCACOV.
POCACOV also have POCACOV/NYSC community development service. This process is now receiving attention as they will help deepen the message of POCACOV in their host communities.
POCACOV today, have a resource Center Known as IGP M.A Pocacov Resource Centre, Enugu where modules for campaign are developed for executions.
POCACOV has come up with a Police/Student Relations Committee as supported by the Nigeria Policing Programme and today, POCACOV has a music album titled “Evils are too much” which is used to educate stakeholders on the dangers of cultism and other vices.
A lot are on the way to ensure effective and massive participation of all in this noble course of saving our youth from the claws of cultism and other vices and making our communities safe and secured and therefore requires collaborative effort and support of all and sundry since police are the publics and the publics are the police according to Robert Peel; the father of community policing.
WRITTEN BY CSP EBERE AMARAIZU
NATIONAL COORDINATOR, POCACOV
